U.S. patent number 7,143,363 [Application Number 10/205,037] was granted by the patent office on 2006-11-28 for method for displaying marine vessel information for an operator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brunswick Corporation. Invention is credited to Phillip K. Gaynor, Kurt D. Willows.
United States Patent |
7,143,363 |
Gaynor , et al. |
November 28, 2006 |
Method for displaying marine vessel information for an operator
Abstract
A method for displaying marine vessel information automatically
selects a chosen visual display based on the magnitudes of one or
more vessel-related parameters, such as engine speed, gear selector
position, or vessel velocity. Based on the selected marine vessel
operating condition, the chosen visual display is selected and the
contents of that chosen visual display are presented on an
information display device, such as a liquid crystal display or
other type of monitor. As the marine vessel changes its operating
condition, the process is repeated so that the marine vessel
operator always is presented with the most appropriate screen
images relating to the marine vessel at its current operating
condition.
Inventors: |
Gaynor; Phillip K. (Fond du
Lac, WI), Willows; Kurt D. (West Bend, WI) |
Assignee: |
Brunswick Corporation (Lake
Forest, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
37450059 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/205,037 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/771; 715/961;
702/183; 715/835; 715/846; 715/744; 340/984; 440/84; 340/461;
701/487; 701/467 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B
79/15 (20200101); G06F 3/14 (20130101); G01C
21/20 (20130101); B63J 99/00 (20130101); B63B
79/40 (20200101); Y10S 715/961 (20130101); B63B
49/00 (20130101); G09G 3/36 (20130101); G09G
2340/14 (20130101); G07C 5/004 (20130101); G07C
5/0816 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/00 (20060101); G06F 15/177 (20060101); G06F
3/14 (20060101); G06F 7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;715/700,746,747,764,765,810,835,846,866,961,744,771 ;701/200
;702/183 ;440/84 ;340/461,984 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bautista; Lucila X.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lanyi; William D.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for displaying marine vessel information, comprising
the steps of: measuring a magnitude of each of a plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel; defining a plurality of
potential operating conditions of said marine vessel; a first
selecting step comprising selecting a current operating condition
of said marine vessel, from said plurality of potential operating
conditions of said marine vessel, as a function of one or more of
said magnitudes of said plurality of parameters relating to said
marine vessel; providing an information display device; providing a
plurality of visual images from which a chosen visual display can
be selected for display on said information display device, each of
said plurality of visual images comprising a measured magnitude of
one or more of said plurality of parameters relating to said marine
vessel; a second selecting step comprising selecting said chosen
visual display image from said plurality of visual images as a
function of said current operating condition; causing said chosen
visual display to be displayed on said information display device;
each of said first and second selecting steps being performed
automatically without manual intervention, such that: firstly, said
current operating condition is automatically selected from said
plurality of potential operating conditions as a function of one or
more of said measured magnitudes of said plurality of parameters;
and secondly, said chosen visual display image is automatically
selected from said plurality of visual images as a function of said
current operating condition chosen from said plurality of potential
operating conditions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein: said chosen visual display
comprises more than one of said plurality of visual images.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein: said more than one of said
plurality of visual images of said chosen visual display are
sequentially displayed on said information display device.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein: each of said more than one of
said plurality of visual images of said chosen visual display are
displayed for a time period which is manually selected.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a preferred
set of said plurality of visual images to be selected as said
chosen visual display for each of said plurality of preselected
vessel operating conditions.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein: said preferred set of said
visual images is provided as a manual input.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel is selected from the
group consisting of engine speed, velocity of said marine vessel,
engine temperature, water pressure, battery charge, fuel flow rate,
oil pressure, propeller trim angle, steering position, quantity of
remaining fuel in a fuel tank, quantity of waste in a waste tank,
direction of travel of said marine vessel, relative global position
of said marine vessel and a preselected position, water depth,
water temperature, and trim tab position.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of said potential operating
conditions of said marine vessel is selected from the group
consisting of idle engine speed and neutral gear selection, idle
engine speed in forward or reverse gear, a gear selection other
than neutral and a rate of change of engine speed greater than a
preselected magnitude in a positive direction between idle and a
preselected engine speed, engine speed greater than said
preselected engine speed, a marine vessel velocity within a
preselected range of magnitudes, and an engine speed within a
predetermined range of maximum engine speed.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a manually
controlled input command which defines which of said plurality of
visual images said chosen visual display comprises for each of said
plurality of potential operating conditions of said marine
vessel.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein: said information display device
is a liquid crystal display device.
11. A method for displaying marine vessel information, comprising
the steps of: measuring a magnitude of each of a plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel; defining a plurality of
potential operating conditions of said marine vessel; a first
selecting step comprising selecting a current operating condition
of said marine vessel, from said plurality of potential operating
conditions of said marine vessel, as a function of one or more of
said magnitudes of said plurality of parameters relating to said
marine vessel; providing an information display device; providing a
plurality of visual images from which a chosen visual display can
be selected for display on said information display device, each of
said plurality of visual images comprising a measured magnitude of
one or more of said plurality of parameters relating to said marine
vessel; a second selection step comprising selecting said chosen
visual display image from said plurality of visual images as a
function of said current operating condition, said chosen visual
display comprising more than one of said plurality of visual
images; causing said chosen visual display to be displayed on said
information display device; each of said first and second selecting
steps being performed automatically without manual intervention,
such that: firstly, said current operating condition is
automatically selected from said plurality of potential operating
conditions as a function of one or more or said measured magnitudes
of said plurality of said parameters; and secondly, said chosen
visual display including said more than one of said plurality of
visual images is automatically selected from said plurality of
visual images as a function of said current operating condition
chosen from said plurality of potential operating conditions.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein: said more than one of said
plurality of visual images of said chosen visual display are
sequentially displayed on said information display device.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein: each of said more than one of
said plurality of visual images of said chosen visual display are
displayed for a time period which is manually selected.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a
preferred set of said plurality of visual images to be selected as
said chosen visual display for each of said plurality of
preselected vessel operating conditions.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein: said plurality of visual
images includes a preferred set of said visual images provided as a
manual input.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein: each of said plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel is selected from the
group consisting of engine speed, velocity of said marine vessel,
engine temperature, water pressure, battery charge, fuel flow rate,
oil pressure, propeller trim angle, steering position, quantity of
remaining fuel in a fuel tank, quantity of waste in a waste tank,
direction of travel of said marine vessel, relative global position
of said marine vessel and a preselected position, water depth,
water temperature, and trim tab position; and each of said
potential operating conditions of said marine vessel is selected
from the group consisting of idle engine speed and neutral gear
selection, idle engine speed in forward or reverse gear, a gear
selection other than neutral and a rate of change of engine speed
greater than a preselected magnitude in a positive direction
between idle and a preselected engine speed, engine speed greater
than said preselected engine speed, a marine vessel velocity within
a preselected range of magnitudes, and an engine speed within a
predetermined range of maximum engine speed.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving a
manually controlled input command which defines which of said
plurality of visual images said chosen visual display comprises for
at least one of said plurality of potential operating conditions of
said marine vessel.
18. A method for displaying marine vessel information, comprising
the steps of: measuring a magnitude of each of a plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel; defining a plurality of
potential operating conditions of said marine vessel; a first
selecting step comprising selecting a current operating condition
of said marine vessel, from said plurality of potential operating
conditions of said marine vessel, as a function of one or more of
said magnitudes of said plurality of parameters relating to said
marine vessel; providing an information display device; providing a
plurality of visual images from which a chosen visual display can
be selected for display on said information display device, each of
said plurality of visual images comprising a measured magnitude of
one or more of said plurality of parameters relating to said marine
vessel; receiving a manually controlled input command which defines
which of said plurality of visual images said chosen visual display
comprises for at least one of said plurality of potential operating
conditions of said marine vessel; a second selecting step
comprising selecting said chosen visual display image from said
plurality of visual images as a function of said current operating
condition; causing said chosen visual display to be displayed on
said information display device; each of said first and second
selecting steps being performed automatically without manual
intervention, such that: firstly, said current operating condition
is automatically selected from said plurality of potential
operating conditions as a function of one or more of said measured
magnitudes of said plurality of parameters; and secondly, said
chosen visual display image is automatically selected from said
plurality of visual images as a function of said current operating
condition chosen from said plurality of potential operating
conditions and as a function of said manual receiving step.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein: said more than one of said
plurality of visual images of said chosen visual display are
sequentially displayed on said information display device, each of
said more than one of said plurality of visual images of said
chosen visual display being displayed for a time period which is
manually selected.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: each of said plurality of
parameters relating to said marine vessel is selected from the
group consisting of engine speed, velocity of said marine vessel,
engine temperature, water pressure, battery charge, fuel flow rate,
oil pressure, propeller trim angle, steering position, quantity of
remaining fuel in a fuel tank, quantity of waste in a waste tank,
direction of travel of said marine vessel, relative global position
of said marine vessel and a preselected position, water depth,
water temperature, and trim tab position; and each of said
potential operating conditions of said marine vessel is selected
from the group consisting of idle engine speed and neutral gear
selection, idle engine speed in forward or reverse gear, a gear
selection other than neutral and a rate of change of engine speed
greater than a preselected magnitude in a positive direction
between idle and a preselected engine speed, engine speed greater
than said preselected engine speed, a marine vessel velocity within
a preselected range of magnitudes, and an engine speed within a
predetermined range of maximum engine speed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to an information
display system for a marine vessel and, more particularly, to a
method for displaying information to the operator of a marine
vessel in which the current operating condition of the vessel is
used to determine which visual image or combination of visual
images are displayed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Vast amounts of information are displayed in numerous ways to
convey that information to human beings who are operating
equipment. The information can be printed on paper, represented on
gauges and meters, or displayed on monitors which can be liquid
crystal displays (LCD's). Typically, the type of data displayed for
an operator of a machine is predetermined when the display system
is originally designed or, in certain applications, it can be
changed by the operator of the machine. Manually changeable systems
typically allow the operator of the machine to make a selection
that determines the information displayed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,271,841, which issued to Tsujimoto on Aug. 7, 2001,
describes an information processor for changing a display in
response to an input audio signal. In a situation where a moving
picture, representing a person playing the piano, is being
displayed on a screen responsive to an animation signal, while a
human voice reporting an item of news is being output responsive to
an audio signal with a caption displayed on the screen as an icon
image, a comparator continuously compares information contained in
a spoken phrase that is contained in the voice with another
information like a word prescribed by an operator. The moment a
correspondence is found between these pieces of information, the
caption, which has been displayed as an icon image, is turned into
a window. In this manner, information contained in an audio signal
is always monitored and when a predetermined condition is met, an
icon image is changed into a window automatically and timely.
Accordingly, an operator need not perform a troublesome operation
of manually changing an icon image into a window.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,483, which issued to Carew et al on Apr. 3,
2002, describes an apparatus and method of providing diagnostic
information to an operator. The invention relates to an apparatus
and method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of
work machine. Whether the work machine control system is in
diagnostic message mode is determined. At least one diagnostic
fault parameter descriptive message is read from a memory. The
diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is provided to the
operator. Preferably, diagnostic messaging is determined by whether
the work machine control system is in service mode and whether the
diagnostic text function is selected. Advantageously, a component
identification number descriptive message is provided in a first
character display and a failure mode indicating number descriptive
message is provided in a second character display of an operator
interface.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,297, which issued to Nakai on Dec. 5, 2000,
describes a display for vehicle navigational systems. The system is
particularly adapted for use with small open vehicles such as a
motorcycle. The navigational system includes a display which
displays, in addition to vehicle speed and distance traveled,
navigational information as to points along a preselected course of
travel and the distance and turning direction to reach each
successive point. The operator may also insert information about
each point, such as observations about the point as the name of the
point. The display switches from providing a first display
condition that provides the travel information and a second
condition that permits the insertion of data into the system. The
insertion display is not enabled unless the vehicle is in a
standing condition and is automatically returned to display
operating conditions when the vehicle again moves.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,703, which issued to Nakai et al on Nov. 28,
2000, describes control for vehicle navigational system. The system
is adapted for use with small open vehicles, such as a motorcycle.
The system includes a display which displays, in addition to
vehicle speed and distance traveled, navigational information as to
points along a preselected course of travel and the distance and
turning direction to reach each successive point. The operator may
also insert information about each point, such as observations
about the point as the name of the point. The display switches from
providing a first display condition that provides the travel
information and a second condition that permits the insertion of
data into the system. The insertion display is not enabled unless
the vehicle is in a standing condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,133, which issued to Sakauchi et al on Nov. 21,
2000, describes a data communication apparatus having a display
device, on which several types of information is sequentially
displayed and a printing device. A facsimile apparatus according to
the invention has a display device and a printing device, the
display device sequentially displays several types of information,
for example, a condition of the apparatus, a condition of storing
an image transmission, a result of a facsimile communication, etc.,
in response to each manual instruction by an operator. If the
operator inputs a manual instruction for printing, the apparatus
causes the printing device to print out a report relating to the
information to be displayed by the display device so that the
operator quickly knows that several kinds of information by
watching the printing report without inputting each manual
instruction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,695, which issued to Lahiff on Nov. 25, 1997,
describes a vehicle information display on a steering wheel
surface. The steering wheel is provided with a thin reconfigurable
display such as an LED, an LCD, an electro-luminescent display, or
other types of reconfigurable thin displays. Vehicle instrument
information such as speedometer, fuel level, vehicle temperature,
engine speed, etc. are provided on this display. The reconfigurable
display is provided with a control that reconfigures the location
of the information on the display. The control is provided with a
signal indicative of rotation of the steering wheel and the control
takes that signal and adjusts the information such that the display
information maintains a particular orientation relative to the
horizontal during a turn. With the present invention, the vehicle
operator need only consult the vehicle steering wheel to obtain
information about the vehicle condition. There are thus less
constraints on the design of the steering wheel, and in the
requirement of providing visual access to the instrument panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,381, which issued to Ito on Nov. 5, 1991,
describes a vessel running information display control system. The
system that is operative to provide a display both of vehicle
operating conditions and extraneous operating conditions. A
switching arrangement allows the operator to select either the
display of the external condition except during initial operation
and when there is an abnormal condition in which case the vehicle
running condition is displayed or a condition wherein the vehicle
running condition is continuously displayed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,996, which issued to Ito on Jan. 29, 1991,
describes a display system. The system in a marine vessel or other
vehicle which includes various means or sensors for detecting
various operating and navigating conditions of the vessel or
vehicle and a single displaying device for displaying information
regarding one or more of the conditions is described. When the
display system is used in a marine vessel, the system also includes
a fish detection sensor and information regarding the detection of
fish is displayed on the single displaying device. The single
displaying device has a fixed display which displays information
regarding particular operating and navigating conditions and a
variable display. The variable display has three displays: a first
display of information, a second display of information, and a
warning display of warning information. The first and second
displays can be displayed alternatively by the operator. The
warning display of warning information regarding at least one of
the various operating and navigating conditions is displayed
automatically when that particular condition is detected to be
outside of its predetermined range.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,269, which issued to Gaynor on Aug. 28, 2001,
discloses an operator display panel control system by throttle
mechanism switch manipulation. A throttle control mechanism is
provided with a plurality of buttons and a control unit that
interprets the state of the various buttons and switches in
different ways, depending on the state of the first operating
parameter. The first operating parameter can be the gear selector
position or the status of a manual selector switch or push button.
Based on the state of the first operating parameter, at least one
switch is interpreted to represent a first command based on a first
state of the first operating parameter and second command based on
the second state of the first operating parameter. This allows dual
functionality for the buttons and switches which reduces the
required number of switches and also allows the important control
switches to be placed easily within reach of the operator of a
marine vessel.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference in the description of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method for displaying marine vessel information, in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of
measuring a magnitude of each of a plurality of parameters relating
to the marine vessel and defining a plurality of potential
operating conditions of the marine vessel. It also comprises the
steps of selecting a current operating condition of the marine
vessel, from the plurality of potential operating conditions of the
marine vessel, as a function of one or more of the magnitudes of
the plurality of parameters relating to the marine vessel. The
present invention, in a preferred embodiment, also comprises the
steps of providing an information display device and a plurality of
visual images from which a chosen visual display can be selected
for display on an information display system, such as the screen of
a monitor. Each of the plurality of visual images comprises a
measured magnitude of one or more of the plurality of parameters
relating to the marine vessel. An additional step in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention is the selecting of the chosen
visual display from the plurality of visual images as a function of
the current operating condition and, in addition, the step of
causing said chosen visual display to be displayed on the
information display device.
The chosen visual display can comprise more than one of the
plurality of visual images in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention and the more than one of the plurality of visual images
of the chosen visual display can be sequentially displayed on the
information display device. Each of the more than one of the
plurality of visual images of the chosen visual display is
displayed for a time period which can be manually selected by the
operator of the marine vessel.
An additional step of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention can be the receiving of a preferred set of the plurality
of visual images to be selected as the chosen visual display for
each of the plurality of preselected vessel operating conditions.
This preferred set of visual images can be provided as a manual
input resulting from the action of the operator of the marine
vessel.
The plurality of parameters relating to the marine vessel can be
selected from the group consisting of engine speed, marine vessel
velocity, engine temperature, water pressure, battery charge level,
fuel flow rate, oil pressure, propeller trim angle, steering
position, quantity of fuel in the fuel tank, quantity of waste in a
waste tank, direction of travel of the marine vessel, relative
global position of the marine vessel, and a preselected position,
water depth, water temperature, and trim tab position. The current
operating condition of the marine vessel can be selected from the
group consisting of idle engine speed and neutral gear selection,
idle engine speed in forward or reverse gear, a gear selection
other than neutral and a rate of change of engine speed greater
than a preselected magnitude in a positive direction between idle
and a preselected engine speed, engine speed greater than the
preselected engine speed, marine vessel velocity within a
preselected range of magnitudes, and an engine speed within a
predetermined range of maximum engine speed.
The information display device can be a liquid crystal device or
any other suitable component that allows data to be displayed
visually for the operator of a marine vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more fully and completely understood
from a reading of the description of the preferred embodiment in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of a marine vessel
incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of a controller, a plurality
of parameters, and a plurality of potential marine vessel operating
conditions from which a current operating condition is
selected;
FIG. 3 shows a display device with a home page illustrated on its
screen;
FIGS. 4 22 show various alternative visual images that can be
selected by the present invention; and
FIG. 23 is a simplified flow chart showing the sequential steps of
the present invention in selecting and displaying chosen visual
displays for observation by the operator of a marine vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Throughout the description of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, like components will be identified by like
reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a highly simplified representation of a marine vessel 10
which is powered by two outboard motors, 12 and 14. The marine
vessel 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a helm at which an
operator can control the operation of the vessel. At the helm, a
steering wheel 18 is provided, along with an information display
device 20 which can comprise a monitor screen. The helm console 22
can also house or support other instrumentation, such as a global
position sensor (GPS) 26, a microprocessor, and other components
relating to instrumentation provided for sensing various parameters
relating to the marine vessel 10. It should be understood that the
marine propulsion units, 12 and 14, also comprise microprocessors
for use as engine control units (ECU's) and those microprocessors
are also suitable for use in implementing the functions of the
present invention which will be described in greater detail
below.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a plurality of parameters
provided as inputs to a controller 36, such as the microprocessor
described above, and a plurality of potential operating conditions
30 from which a current operating condition can be selected by the
controller 36.
In FIG. 2, the plurality of parameters, 41 54, are various
parameters relating to the marine vessel that can be sensed, by
appropriate sensors, and information provided by those sensors is
received by the controller 36. The steering position 41, which
represents the relative angular position of the marine propulsion
system to the transom of the marine vessel 10 can be determined in
several ways which include a rotational position sensor or a linear
sensor associated with the steering axis of the marine propulsion
system, which can comprise one or more outboard motors, 12 and 14.
The available fuel 42 can easily be determined by a depth sensor
associated with the fuel tank. The engine temperature 43 can be
sensed by a thermocouple or alternative temperature sensor
associated with the cooling system of the engine. Vessel speed 44
is typically measured by an appropriate speedometer which can be of
the paddle-wheel type, pitot tube type, or a global position sensor
(GPS). Engine speed 45 is typically sensed by a tachometer and trim
tab position 46 can be sensed either by a rotational position
sensor associated with the axis of the trim tabs or a linear sensor
associated with a cylinder used to move the trim tabs. The gear
selector 47 can be determined by a sensor associated with the
manual throttle handle that is used by the operator of a marine
vessel to select a gear position of forward, reverse, or neutral.
The direction of travel 48 can be determined by a global position
sensor (GPS) or a compass-like device. Global position 49 is
typically determined through the use of a global position sensor
(GPS). Progression to destination 50 can typically be determined
through the use of a global position sensor (GPS). Oil pressure 51
is sensed by a pressure transducer associated with the lubrication
system of the engine. Propeller trim position 52 can be determined
through the use of a rotational position sensor associated with the
trim axis of an outboard motor or drive unit of a sterndrive
system. The water temperature 53 can be measured by a thermocouple
and the water depth 54 can easily be determined through the use of
any of several well known depth finders. As an example, but not
limiting to the present invention, a sonic depth finder can be
connected to the engine controller. Each of the plurality of
parameters, 41 54, are measured by appropriate sensors and the
information is transmitted to the controller 36 for later use by
the present invention. In addition, although not explicitly
illustrated in FIG. 2, sensors could be provided to determine
vessel attitude (e.g. pitch, roll, yaw), fuel tank range, and oil
tank range. Other parameters can also be sensed and shown in visual
images. For example, generator information, trim tab status, AC/DC
status, air conditioning information, or transmission status can be
measured and illustrated.
The present invention also comprises the step of defining a
plurality of potential operation conditions of the marine vessel.
These potential operating conditions 30 are shown at the bottom
portion of FIG. 2. They include a start-up condition 61 that
immediately follows the activation of a start switch or ignition
key by the operator. A second potential operating condition, idle
in neutral 62, is when the engine of the marine vessel is running
at idle speed and the gear selection system is in neutral gear
position. The idle in gear 63 operating condition is when the
engine of the marine vessel is operating at idle speed, but the
gear selector is in either the forward or reverse gear position.
The potential operating condition identified by reference numeral
64 describes the circumstance when the engine of the marine vessel
is accelerating within a predefined range, such as 0 to 3000 RPM.
The potential operating condition of cruising 65 describes a
situation in which the marine vessel is operating at cruising
speed, which is defined as a preselected velocity range, and the
velocity is generally constant. The trolling 66 operating condition
is typically related to the use of certain engine control
algorithms that maintain the engine speed at a relatively low and
constant magnitude. The way point arrival operating condition
relates to the arrival of the marine vessel at a particular global
position during a journey. The wide open throttle (WOT) 68
operating condition is defined as being when the marine vessel is
operating at its maximum engine speed. The controller 36 selects
from the plurality of potential operating conditions, 61 68, as a
function of the magnitudes of selected ones of the plurality of
parameters, 41 54, shown in FIG. 2 or additional sensors for
determining other variables such as vessel attitude, fuel tank
range, or oil tank range. Most typically, the current operating
condition of the marine vessel is selected from the potential
operating conditions, 61 68, based on the engine speed 45, gear
selection 47, and vessel speed 44.
FIG. 3 illustrates an information display device 20 such as the one
described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. It comprises a display
screen region 70 that can be an LCD display. It also provides an
arrow track pad control 72 that allows the marine vessel operator
to move a highlighted segment up, down, and side-to-side. A
centrally positioned select key 74 is used to select screen
portions that are highlighted and to confirm certain data entry
operations. The home key 76 returns the display to the home page
and allows the operator to turn the system view on or off if a main
key switch is not utilized.
When the operator of the marine vessel is manually controlling the
information display device 20, several different categories of
information can be requested. These are identified symbolically on
the home page screen which is illustrated in FIG. 3. As an example,
the "NAV-FUEL" group of displays includes the direction to a target
way point, present course of the marine vessel, current velocity,
distance, time, speed, and fuel to next way point, a trip history
display, water depth and history, and seawater temperature. The
"PROPULSION" group of displays includes engine speed, engine trim
synchronizer, maximum boat speed, maximum engine speed, engine
temperature, engine water temperature, fuel consumption, propulsion
information, and vessel information. The "VESSEL" group of displays
includes steering angle, fuel tank, water tank, waste tank,
sterndrive or outboard motor trim, and engine operating hours. The
"FAVORITES" icon in FIG. 3 allows the operator to select a
preferred group of information displays. The "SETTINGS" icon and
the "SYSTEM" icon allow the marine vessel operator to select
various vessel operating functions which are not directly related
to the present invention.
In order to more fully understand the operation of the present
invention, it is helpful to know the various types of individual
visual images that can be implemented, alone or in combination with
other visual images, by the present invention. FIGS. 4 22
illustrate the plurality of visual images provided by the present
invention from which a chosen visual display can be selected for
display on the information display device 20. It should be
understood that the chosen visual display can comprise one or more
of the plurality of visual images shown in FIGS. 4 22. In the
individual descriptions of FIGS. 4 22, below, references will be
made to the various parameters illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows the engine RPM and speed visual image. In this
particular visual image, the most recent measured magnitude of the
engine speed 45 and vessel speed 44 are contained within the
image.
FIG. 5 shows the peak speed at RPM. This particular visual image
records the maximum velocity of the marine vessel that was reached
since the data was last cleared. It also shows the associated
engine speed as measured since the last time that the system was
manually reset.
FIG. 6 is a visual image that can be used when the marine vessel 10
has two marine propulsion systems, such as the two outboard motors,
12 and 14, illustrated in FIG. 1. When the marine vessel 10 has
twin engines, the visual image shown in FIG. 6 displays the
difference in engine speed between the port and starboard
engines.
FIG. 7 shows the engine data visual image which can be a single
image 80 that contains four different gauge-like representations
selected from the options shown in the left half of FIG. 7. These
gauge-like representations can include engine temperature, water
pressure, battery level, fuel flow, and oil pressure.
FIG. 8 shows the trim position of the propeller relative to the
transom of the marine vessel. The trim position, as achieved by
setting the trim and trailer position of the propulsion unit, is
represented graphically in this visual image.
FIG. 9 is a visual image that illustrates the engine speed during a
trolling maneuver, particularly when under an automatic algorithm
to control the engine during trolling.
FIG. 10 shows the steering position of the marine propulsion unit
of the marine vessel in a graphical angular format.
FIG. 11 shows the status of the fuel and waste tanks of the marine
vessel. FIG. 12 is a graphical representation showing the
percentage of fill of the fuel tank. FIG. 13 is a graphical
representation showing the percentage of fill of the waste
tank.
FIG. 14 is a vessel status visual image that displays engine run
time, total fuel remaining, certain tank levels, and air
temperature. FIG. 15 is a navigation display that shows the compass
and direction of travel to a targeted way point during a journey of
the marine vessel.
FIG. 16 is also a navigation screen in which the visual image
displays navigating data as the marine vessel travels toward a way
point. FIG. 17 is a trip history log which shows average miles per
gallon and average miles per hour of the vessel during a trip. It
also illustrates drive time, distance, and fuel used.
FIG. 18 is a visual image that illustrates the depth of the water
below the marine vessel. FIG. 19 shows a depth plot line which is a
graphical representation of depth as a function of time recorded
over the most recent 16 second period. FIG. 20 shows a visual image
that provides information relating to the water depth below the
marine vessel, the velocity of the marine vessel, air temperature,
and water temperature. FIG. 21 shows the seawater temperature
proximate the marine vessel during the last 80 second period. It
also shows the actual temperature. FIG. 22 shows the estimated
range of the marine vessel based on current fuel tank levels. It
also shows the remaining gallons in the fuel tanks and the rate at
which the fuel is being used.
It should be understood that FIGS. 4 22 illustrate a plurality of
visual images from which a chosen visual display can be selected.
The chosen visual display can comprise one or more of the plurality
of visual images shown in FIGS. 4 22. The chosen visual display is
displayed on the information display device 20, which can be a
monitor incorporating a liquid crystal device. Each of the
plurality of visual images shown in FIGS. 4 22 comprise one or more
measured magnitudes of the plurality of parameters, 41 54,
described above in conjunction with FIG. 2.
The present invention determines a current operating condition of
the marine vessel, such as one of the potential operating
conditions, 61 68, illustrated in FIG. 2. When the current
operating condition is selected by the present invention, based on
the magnitudes of one or more of the plurality of parameters, 41
54, that current operating condition is used to select the chosen
visual display from the plurality of visual images shown in FIGS. 4
22. The present invention then causes the chosen visual display to
be displayed on the information display device 20.
When the chosen visual display comprises more than one of the
plurality of visual images illustrated in FIGS. 4 22, those images
are sequentially displayed on the information display device 20,
with each of the individual images being shown on the display
device for a preselected time period that can be manually chosen by
the operator of the marine vessel. In other words, each of the
individual displays can be maintained for viewing on the display
device for a period of 5 30 seconds and then is followed by the
next individual displays of the chosen visual display. It should be
understood that this suggested range of time values is not limiting
to the present invention. Other possible time selections are also
within its scope.
Several examples of the operation of the present invention can be
described to more clearly illustrate its basic philosophy and the
method by which it implements that philosophy. As an example, when
the marine vessel is in a start-up 61 operating condition, with the
engine at idle speed and the gear selector in the neutral position,
the vessel status page shown in FIG. 14 and the steering angle
position shown in FIG. 10 could be included in the chosen visual
display for that particular operating condition. As an example, the
position of the rudder or drive units can be monitored and compared
to an acceptable magnitude to assure that the angle is not beyond a
preferred amount. This is useful prior to the operator putting the
marine propulsion system into forward or reverse gear. If the
controller 36 detects that the marine vessel is currently in that
start-up operating condition, the visual images shown in FIGS. 10
and 14 would be automatically selected by the present invention to
comprise the chosen visual display. Alternatively, if the engine is
at idle speed and the gear selector is in neutral position, but the
marine vessel is not in a start-up position, the idle in neutral 62
position will be identified by the controller. In that situation,
the steering position visual image shown in FIG. 10, the propeller
trim visual image shown in FIG. 8, the depth visual image shown in
FIG. 18, and the fuel tank visual tank image of FIG. 12 can be
selected by the present invention as the chosen visual display.
These four visual images will be sequentially shown on the display
device 20, with each of these visual images being shown by the
device for a preselected time period.
When the marine vessel is in the idle in gear 63 operating
condition, the steering angle (FIG. 10), water depth (FIG. 18),
drive trim angle (FIG. 8), and troll control (FIG. 9) visual images
can be selected as the chosen visual display. When the marine
vessel is accelerating in the range between 0 and 3000 RPM, the
chosen visual display can comprise the drive trim (FIG. 8), water
depth (FIG. 18), and compass (FIG. 15) visual images. When the
marine vessel is operating with an engine speed above a certain
preselected magnitude, such as 3000 RPM, the chosen visual display
can comprise the visual images relating to fuel range (FIG. 22),
compass direction (FIG. 15), and next way point information (FIG.
16). When the engine is operated at wide open throttle (WOT) the
chosen visual display can comprise the visual images relating to
maximum engine speed (FIG. 5), range (FIG. 22), and engine running
data (FIG. 14).
If the controller 36 senses that the marine vessel is approaching
or has arrived at a way point, through the comparison of a global
positioning sensor signal and a preset course signal, it can select
a chosen visual display that comprises the visual images of the
next way point (FIG. 16) and the compass direction (FIG. 15) in
which the marine vessel is traveling.
It should be understood that FIGS. 4 22 show 19 possible visual
images from which the chosen visual display can be selected. It is
not intended that FIGS. 4 22 be exhaustive in this illustration.
Other visual images can alternatively be used within the scope of
the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a simplified flow chart showing the steps taken in order
to perform the method of the present invention. The functional
blocks shown in FIG. 23 will be described in conjunction with the
information illustrated in FIGS. 1 22 and described above.
Beginning at the starting point 101 shown in FIG. 23, the
magnitudes of the plurality of parameters, 41 54, are obtained by
the controller 36 from the various sensors associated with those
parameters. It should be understood that the present invention can
be practiced with fewer than the 14 parameters, 41 54, illustrated
in FIG. 2. The parameter magnitudes obtained, as represented in
functional block 102, have been previously measured by their
associated sensors. Having previously defined a plurality of
potential operating conditions, 61 68, the present invention then
selects a current operating condition of the marine vessel, as
represented by functional block 103, based on the magnitudes of one
or more of the plurality of parameters, 41 54, shown in FIG. 2.
The present invention provides an information display device 20 on
which various display images can be presented. In the memory of
controller 36, the present invention provides a plurality of visual
images as illustrated in FIGS. 4 22. From this plurality of visual
images, a chosen visual display can be selected for display on the
information display device 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 22, each of the
plurality of visual images comprises a measured magnitude of one or
more of the plurality of parameters, 41 54, relating to the marine
vessel. The present invention then selects a chosen visual image as
represented by functional block 104. The chosen visual display can
comprise one or more of the plurality of visual images illustrated
in FIGS. 4 22. The chosen visual display is selected as a function
of the magnitudes of one or more of the plurality of parameters, 41
54, shown in FIG. 2. The one or more visual images that the chosen
visual displays comprises is then displayed, as represented by
functional block 105, on the information display device 20. At
point 106 in FIG. 23, the logic represented by the flow chart in
FIG. 23 is repeated. If more than one visual image is comprised
within the chosen visual display, those visual images are
sequentially displayed on the information display device 20, with
each individual visual image being displayed for a preselected
period which is typically between 5 and 30 seconds before the next
visual image replaces it on the information display device 20. The
time period during which each of the individual visual images is
displayed can be a time period that is manually selected by the
operator of the marine vessel.
Although not shown in FIG. 23, the operator of the marine vessel
can occasionally change the specific visual images that are
included within each of the chosen visual displays associated with
the operating conditions, 61 68. It is the operator of the marine
vessel that ultimately has the power to select which images the
operator prefers to see when the marine vessel is in each one of
the potential operating conditions, 61 68. Once the operator makes
the manual selection to define the characteristic of each chosen
visual display associated with each operating condition, the system
automatically displays the chosen visual display as a function of
the vessel operating condition that is determined by observing the
magnitudes of selected vessel parameters, 41 54.
Although the present invention has been described with significant
specificity and illustrated to show particular preferred
embodiments, it should be understood that alternative embodiments
are also within its scope.
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